Category: CompassionCare News

CompassionCare Hospice’s Annual Memorial Service:Celebration of Life A COMMUNITY EVENT

Will be held on Saturday April 22, 2017. Presentation Begins at 10 A.M. (arrive early for parking and seating) at the Springs Preserve: 333 South Valley View at US 95.

We plan to have a video montage of loved ones at the service and would love to have a picture of your family member. Please send or email ONLY 2 pictures you want to share to: 7842 West Sahara Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89117 Attention: Kellie Mahon or email to: kmahon@cchlv.com.

When sending the e-mail please write RSVP 2017 MEMORIAL in the subject line with the name of the person whose picture you are sending. EXAMPLE: RSVP 2017 MEMORIAL –on top of the page S

Free community screenings of the “Being Mortal” documentary will be held at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada, on March 15th and March 22, 2017 (times to be announced).

After the screening, audience members can participate in a guided conversation with panel members from both CompassionCare Hospice and Sunrise Hospital on how to take steps to identify and communicate wishes about end-of-life goals and preferences.

The film investigates the practice of caring for the dying and explores the relationships between patients and their doctors. It follows surgeon Dr. Atul Gawande as he shares stories from the people he encounters. The film sheds light on how a medical system focused on cure often leaves out the sensitive conversations t

Hospice is a special way of caring for someone with a limited life expectancy, when the prognosis is discussed in terms of months rather than years. Hospice care affirms life. CompassionCare Hospice’s goal is to enhance the quality of life by keeping the patient comfortable and pain-free.

Hospice is a concept of care, not a place of care. Therefore, patients can receive hospice care wherever they call home. This may include a personal residence, nursing facility, assisted living residence, or a hospital setting. CompassionCare Hospice is charged with the mission of helping patients and families complete the journey of life in comfort, peace, and dignity. We are able to achieve our mission through the expertise of our hospice and palliative care certified hospice team.

Our team of medical staff oversee the medical component of the care. A hospice team usually consists o

As National Handwashing Awareness Week comes to an end, we are reminded of the importance of handwashing all year. National Handwashing Awareness Week is December 4-10, 2016. It is a win-win for everyone involved, except the germs.

Handwashing is one you can prevent the flu. Keeping our hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take avoid getting sick and getting others sick.

There are 5 simple yet effective steps of handwashing.

1) Wet – Wet your hands with clean water. The temperature doesn’t matter. Apply soap after wet.
2) Lather – Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to get everywhere.
3) Scrub – Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. The CDC recommends singing the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice is equivalent to 20 seconds.
4) Rinse – Rinse the soap

National Influenza Vaccination Week is December 4 – 10.

If you haven’t gotten your vaccine, you should probably consider getting it. The vaccination is the best way to protect you and you loved ones from the flu.

Most of the time, flu activity peaks between December and March in the United States, although activity can last until late May. Remember, once you get you shot, it takes 14 days to take full effect. The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older. This year they are recommending the use of injectable flu vaccines or flu shots and not the nasal spray flu vaccine. Flu vaccines are important for those who are at high risk of serious complications from the virus. People at a high risk are pregnant women, children younger than 5 years of age, people
65 years of age and older, and people who have certain medical conditi

Crohn’s Disease and Colitis Awareness Week is December 1 – 7.

Crohn’s and Colitis both fall under the category of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (commonly shortened to IBD). Crohn’s and Colitis affect the gastrointestinal tract (commonly shortened to GI Tract). The difference between the two is: Ulcerative Colitis is limited to the colon (or large intestines) and Crohn’s Disease can affect any part of the GI tract. IBD affects about 1.6 million Americans. These diseases tend to be hereditary, and affect males and females equally. They are both chronic diseases. Caucasians are more likely to have IBD. It is hard to diagnose which disease the patient is suffering from because both have similar symptoms.

December 1 is World AIDS Day.

It is a day to acknowledge the progress in HIV prevention and treatment around the world because we have made significant progress. But a world free of HIV, is what we strive for. There is still much that can be done. The theme for 2016 is, “Leadership. Commitment. Impact.”

Globally, an estimated 36.7 million persons are living with HIV/AIDS. Each year, more than 1 million people die from AIDS-related causes, and 2.1 million people become newly infected by HIV. Two-thirds of new HIV infections worldwide occur in Africa. HIV is the human immunodeficiency virus. HIV is a sexually transmitted disease. It is spread through bodily fluids (blood, semen, and vaginal fluid.) A person infected may not notice any symptoms or may experience a brief period of influenza-like symptoms. HIV will eventually progress into AIDS or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. As

Stomach cancer mostly affects older people.

“No Stomach for Cancer.”

November is Stomach Cancer Awareness Month. Stomach cancer is also called gastric cancer. It is the 5th most common type of cancer worldwide. It is also the 3rd most common cause of cancer deaths. There are 1 million new cases globally each year. 1 in 111 men or women will be diagnosed in their lifetime. Gastric cancer is more commonly seen in men. Most people diagnosed are between their late 60s and 80s. In the United States, stomach cancer is more common in Hispanic Americans, African Americans, and Asian/Pacific Islanders than it is in non-Hispanic whites.

Stomach cancer is difficult to detect; therefore, it is typically diagnosed in late stages. Late stage cancers are harder to treat and cure than earlier stage cancers. Early detection is the key to survival. It can be hereditary. Smoking increases gastric cancer risk. Diets high in smok

Last but not least we interviewed our very own Community Education Nurse. You may have seen Julie on quite a few of our other hospice education videos. She is truly a special person who is dedicated to bringing truth and knowledge to the Southern Nevada community. We appreciate everyone who viewed our National Hospice & Palliative Care Month featured interviews. Please let us know what you think about our videos and we hope everyone has a Happy Holiday season.

Through effective communication, a hospice worker can help your loved one the most effectively and efficiently.

The hospice nurse is in a specialized position, since he or she is often involved in all segments of a patient’s life during this time. They see both what is happening with the patient emotionally, with their families, as well as what is happening “behind the scenes” with medical tests, doctor consultations, etc. This makes the nurse one of the most integral pillars to the entire hospice care method of treating patients using the palliative care practice. When the patient is feeling overwhelmed, it is often this nurse that can come in and help them. This nurse can offer spiritual and emotional support to the patient, as well help them overcome other psychological stressing news and situations. The nurse can also communicate with others on the team more specialized in e

GERD is the most common gastrointestinal disorders seen.

Aging increases your risk and severity of GERD. Millions of people are affected by this disease. The odds of developing this disorder increases with age. Here are some things your senior can do to alleviate GERD:

• Avoid foods that can trigger an attack such as chocolate, peppermint, coffee, carbonated beverages, fried food, and alcohol.
• Avoid foods that irritate sensitive gastrointestinal tissue such as acidic foods, citrus, tomatoes, spicy food, and pepper.
• Stop smoking. Tobacco stimulates the production of stomach acid, and weakens the muscle connecting the stomach to esophagus.
• Eat more frequent, smaller meals to avoid being overfull, and don’t eat within 2 hours of bedtime.
• Elevate your head while sleeping with extra pillows or a bed wedge. Also, try sleeping on your right side.<br